Erasmus+ funding boosts UT–University of Jordan Partnership Nieuwe financiering toegekend

The University of Twente (UT) has secured new Erasmus+ KA171 funding to deepen its long‑standing collaboration with the University of Jordan (UJ). Over the next three years, the grant will support student and staff mobility between the two institutions, coordinated by UT’s Faculty of Geo‑information Science and Earth Observation (ITC). The first exchanges are expected to begin in autumn 2026.

A successful KA171 call

The award is part of UT’s broad submission to the 2026 Erasmus+ KA171 call, in which 17 country proposals were submitted across six global regions. Roughly one‑fourth received funding, including the UT–UJ initiative. The project builds on a partnership already shaped by joint research, scientific publications, training programmes and previous mobility activities.

Expanding academic exchange

With the new funding, students and staff from both universities will gain opportunities to share knowledge, develop skills and strengthen academic networks. The project also opens the door for collaboration beyond ITC, enabling other UT faculties to connect with UJ’s academic community and explore new avenues for cooperation.

Strengthening this partnership means strengthening our shared ability to address real societal challenges,” says Roshanak Darvishzadeh, ITC. “By combining UT’s expertise in geoinformation and Earth observation with UJ’s deep regional knowledge, we can create an impact that is both scientifically robust and locally meaningful.

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Strategic alignment with UT’s global vision

The partnership aligns closely with UT’s International Partnership Framework (IPF, 2023), which guides the development of collaborations that enhance educational quality, global engagement and societal impact. UJ was selected as a strategic partner because of its complementary expertise and its relevance to pressing challenges in Jordan and the wider MENA region.

Addressing shared societal challenges

These challenges include water scarcity, food security, climate adaptation and resilience, areas that connect directly to UT’s impact domains of Climate and Safety & Security, as well as ITC’s focus on Resource Security and Disaster Resilience. Mobility exchanges will support capacity development in these fields, helping both universities contribute to sustainable, locally grounded solutions.

Strengthening a long‑term collaboration

The Erasmus+ project reinforces ITC’s mission to apply geoinformation and Earth observation to societal needs. With this new funding, UT and UJ can continue to grow their partnership, which already spans education, research, and academic exchange, while creating fresh opportunities for collaboration across the university.

For more information, please contact:

dr. R. Darvishzadeh Varchehi (Roshanak) Associate Professor

+31534874503

 r.darvish@utwente.nl

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M. Bonhke (Miranda) Institutional Erasmus Coordinator/Agreement Coordinator/International mobility policy advisor

+31534874368

 m.bonhke@utwente.nl

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.